Stalk-cutter



(NoM odel.) I

J. J. SNIDER 8?; W. H. O'BANNON.

STALK CUTTER.

No. 288,374.. Patented N0v. 13, 1883.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

JOHN J. SNIDER AND WILLIAM H. OBANN ON, OF OLEBURNE, TEXAS.

' STALK-CUTTER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent NO. 288,374, dated November13, 1883.

Applieation filed July 27, 1883. (No model.) i

To all whom it may concern.- Be it. known that we, JOHN J. SNIDER andWVILLIAM H. OBANNON, citizens of the United States, residing atOleburne, in the county of Johnson and State of Texas, have inventedanew and useful Stalk-Gutter, of which the following is a specification,reference being had to the accompanying drawings. f i

This invention relates to stalk-cutters; and it has for its object toproduce a machine which shall possess superior advantages in pointofsimplicity, durability, and general efficiency. To, this end it consists.in certain improvements in the construction of thesame, which willbehereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in theclaims. i In the drawings hereto annexed, Figure l is a top view. Fig. 2is a bottom view. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectionalview, andFig.- 4 is a rear view.

The same letters refer to the same parts in all the figures.

Am the drawings designates a V-shaped frame, composed of a pair of beamsconyerging at the front end, as shown. The rear ends of the beams B Bare provided with bearings for a shaft or axle, 0, having a pair ofwheels or rollers, D D. Y

E E are sharp-edged blades or cutters secured to the under sides of thebeams BB, and projecting somewhat beyond the outer edges of the latter.Under the front ends of the cutters E E is bolted or otherwise secured aV-shaped pointed cutter, F, the edges of which project slightly beyondthe cutting-edges of the blades E E, which will thus readily cut intothe stalks when the machine is drawn over the field. i To the front endof the V-shaped frame A, on the upper side of the latter, is secured adraft-bar, G, and on top of the latter is secured a U -shapedspring-bar,H, carrying the seat I. The draftbar G and the cutter F extend in rearof theoonverging point of the beamsB B, forming the frame, and betweenthem is pivoted a rearwardly-extending bar, J, having a slot, K, inwhiclia wheel or caster, L, is journaled. I

M is a curved brace connecting. the beams B B, and the under side ofwhich forms a hearing for the rear end of the swinging barJ.

N N are apair of strong flexible rods, secured to the beams B B near thefront ends of the latter, and extending from thence in an upward andrearward direction, and at the same time outwardly, so that their upperrear ends shall be some distance beyond the outer edges of the beams andcutters. The function of these rods will be to bend the stalks away fromthe machine, thus rendering them more easily severed, and preventingthem, when out, from falling'over upon the machine, the progress ofwhich might thereby be retarded. 1

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with thedrawingshereto annexed, theoperation and advantages of our inventionwill be'readily understood. The wheels D D and L support the machine,raising the blades or cutters a short distanceabove the ground. When themachine is dragged over the field, the blades will cut the stalks closeto the ground. The swinging front wheel, L, will greatly facilitate theturning of the machine. The general construction is simple, durable, andinexpensive.

We claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesd Ina stalk-cutter the combination of the V- shaped frame, the side bladesor cutters, the front cutter, arranged as described, and extending in,rear of the converging point of the beams forming the frame, thedraft-bar, arranged as described, and extending above the rear end'ofthe front cutter, the slotted bar pivoted between the rear ends of thefront cutter and draft-bar, the wheel journaled in the slot of said bar,the curved brace connecting the beams of the main frame and forming abearing for the rear end of the swinging bar, and wheels or rollerssupporting the rear end of the frame, substantially as set forth.

. In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own we have heretoaffixed oursignatures in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN J. SNIDER. WILLIAM H. OBANNON.

Witnesses: J W. IRVIN,

.J. F. STBOOP.

